Two Old Psychologists Talking About Stuff

episode artwork

Dr Richard Bennett and Dr Ray Owen

30 October 2026

1h 14m 53s

Head, hands, heart, and home: what makes a good therapist? (with Rikke Kjelgaard)

00:00

01:14:53

In this episode Rich and Ray welcome psychologist, author, and renowned ACT trainer, Rikke Kjelgaard, to explore what makes a good therapist. They discuss this in terms of the head, heart, hands, and home of ACT — the importance of theory, therapeutic stance, practical skills, and why therapists must ‘‘walk the talk.’’ The conversation covers a range of issues, including therapists' use of self‑disclosure and the kinds of mistakes that therapists could usefully avoid making. The trio trade personal anecdotes to illustrate how emotional experience deepens professional empathy and clinical competence, and offer some advice to early career therapists as well as people who might be considering seeing a therapist for the first time.

More information and Rikke's practice can be found on her website.

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

Copyright © Two Old Psychologists Talking About Stuff. All rights reserved.

Powered by